Of all the hair concerns, greasy strands may be the worst. If your scalp always feels dirty or greasy, it is likely that you have an oily scalp. It is essential to treat an oily scalp with the proper care to prevent severe hair conditions. We’ve rounded up the five most efficient ways to manage an oily scalp in your middle age.
What Is an Oily Scalp?
An oily scalp is caused by an excess amount of the skin’s natural oils, called sebum. The sebaceous glands produce oil, which provides your hair with hydration and shine. Sebum is necessary to prevent hair from becoming dry and damaged. However, if your scalp produces an excess amount of sebum, oily skin and greasy hair will follow.
In your middle age, overactive sebaceous glands may result from hormonal imbalances from thyroid complications or menopause. Additionally, heat, exercise, poor diet and genetics can increase your scalp’s oil production. Do not ignore an oily scalp as it can lead to dandruff, hair loss, and lifeless tresses.
5 Ways to Manage an Oily Scalp
- Skip the Daily Shampoo
This may sound counterintuitive, but it is actually better to wash your hair less frequently to avoid excess sebum production. When you over wash your hair, you remove natural sebum, which stimulates the scalp to produce even more in response. Start slowly by skipping the shampoo one or two days a week, when you don’t need to be out in public. After a few weeks, you will train your hair to withstand a few days without washing. It is ideal to wash your hair two to three times a week to balance your scalp’s oil production.
- Choose Your Products Carefully
If you suffer from an oily scalp, it is best to avoid products that contain heavy oils and butters. Products that are labeled “shine-enhancing” or “anti-frizz” should be left on the shelf. Formulas that contain intense moisturizing ingredients can weigh down your hair and leave it greasier. Instead, choose volumizing products that lift your roots away from your scalp. For example, a volumizing shampoo and conditioner will provide the scalp with essential nutrients, bringing your hair back to life. In general, lightweight products with clarifying properties will serve a greasy scalp justice.
- Exfoliate Your Scalp
Exfoliating regularly can help hair grow in healthier and less oily. Sweat, oil, and dirt gather on our scalps and contribute to hair looking heavy and greasy. Exfoliation improves the condition of your scalp by buffing away dead skin cells and cleansing your pores of product buildup. Exfoliating the scalp balances its oil production to ensure your strands are properly nourished. Consider using a scalp cleanser, like the one from Better Not Younger, with activated charcoal and lactic acid. Activated charcoal has purifying properties that absorb excess oil from the scalp and hair. Lactic acid dissolves buildup around pores and helps manage your scalp’s pH levels.
- Be Mindful of Your Brushing Habits
The right brush can help you distribute oil throughout your strands so that your roots appear less greasy. Consider using a boar-bristle brush if you struggle with greasy roots. The natural fibers of this brush help evenly spread your oils throughout your hair, leaving your locks with a healthy shine. Be mindful that overbrushing your hair can stimulate oil production, making hair greasier than before.
Brushes accumulate a lot of bacteria, oil and dirt. If you fail to clean your brushes, you risk distributing bacteria back into your hair. Using an unclean brush will result in an unhealthy, oily scalp. You can clean your brushes by washing them with a gentle shampoo every one to two weeks.
- Try an At-Home Remedy
Interestingly, there are several common household ingredients that can be used as remedies for an oily scalp. Firstly, apple cider vinegar is known to remove oil buildup and maintain the pH level of your scalp. Mix 2-3 tbsp of ACV with 2 cups of water, apply it to your scalp, and rinse with cold water. Also, lemon juice has antimicrobial properties that cleanse the scalp and prevent dandruff. You can massage a few tablespoons of lemon juice into your scalp for a healthier oil production. Let the lemon juice soak for a few minutes and then wash your hair as normal. Lastly, tea tree oil is an effective home remedy to rid your scalp of excess oil. Tea tree oil is an antiseptic that can help maintain a clean scalp. Mix tea tree oil with a carrier oil like almond or jojoba, and massage your scalp with it.
Conclusion
It is time to take back control over your greasy hair. Ramping up your scalp-care routine with clarifying products, routine exfoliation, and mindful brushing habits will help you achieve a well-balanced scalp environment. Try these five oil-management tips for strong, healthy hair in your middle age.
